Hydrocele Cured by Acupuncturation.—A new method of treating hydrocele has of late years been introduced, namely, by the insertion of a needle into the sac or bladder of the testicle, which, upon its withdrawal, permits the fluid to escape into the cellular membrane, whence it is rapidly absorbed. A pint of fluid may be got rid of in that way in two or three hours; and, although the disease may not be radically cured, it will occupy several months before a reaccumulation of the fluid takes place. In recent cases, this treatment oftentimes proves permanently successful. Many nervous persons will not submit to anything approaching an operation, not even to the simple one of acupuncturation. In such cases, there is no alternative but counter-irritants, to be applied over the part, such as the tincture of iodine, or the following ointment (Form [26]).
It is at all times best to attend early to any disease of the testicles; the progress is so rapid, the mischief so great, and the consequences so deplorable, of uncontrolled disease.
Eruptions incident to the Organs of Generation and the Rectum.—The structures included in the above heading are subject to a variety of eruptions, varying in character, intensity, and duration. Thus we have the papular, a chronic inflammation characterized by papules, or very minute pimples, of nearly the same color as the skin, accompanied by intense itching, and terminating, when broken by scratching, in small circular crusts: this is called, by dermoid pathologists, Prurigo. Another order of eruption is designated the vesicular and pustular, and consists of groups of small pimples of a very bright red color, and containing a serous fluid. They are accompanied by itching, which increases as the contained humor becomes turbid, and assumes the puriform aspect; they then incrustate, and at the end of about a fortnight drop off, leaving the skin healthy underneath. The name given to this variety is Herpes.
The last and most inveterate species is characterized by an itching of the skin, which, on inspection, appears of a diffused redness, and gives off, after a while, a number of thin scales: these reaccumulate, and the entire organs of generation becomes sometimes covered with similar patches: this is denominated Psoriasis. These affections, which are but various degrees of inflammation, modified by idiosyncrasy and habit, arise from local and constitutional causes. Among these are frequent excitation of the organs of generation, the contact of the fluids secreted during sexual intercourse, an unhealthy and relaxed condition of the genitals, and, lastly, a disordered state of the digestive organs. It is astonishing to what an extent these disorders prevail, and more so to find how long the individuals, probably from a sense of diffidence in seeking professional assistance, endure them. I have encountered many patients who have informed me that they have had the complaint upon them from five to ten years, purposing during the whole of that period to consult some medical friend, but postponing it until their interview with myself; and it is the more to be regretted, as the cure may always be effected in a week or two, with moderate attention and perseverance; but if the attempt be neglected, there is no limiting the extent to which the disease may proceed. Local diseases, especially of such a nature as those under consideration can not exist any great length of time without involving the digestive organs, which become sympathetically deranged; and in like manner do local diseases participate with dyspeptic disturbances—each, therefore, goes on aggravating the other.
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Diseases of the Bladder.—The anatomical description of the bladder will be found in the earlier pages of this work. It may simply be restated:
The bladder is a viscus somewhat similar in structure to the stomach. It is composed of several coats—muscular, nervous, and mucous. Each are liable to diseases peculiar to their several structures. The size of the bladder differs in most persons, and in the sexes.
The female bladder is generally the largest; but the largeness is observable more especially in females who have borne children. The proverbial ability of females to retain their urine longer than men is thus accounted for.
Much mischief is often done by both sexes disobeying the particular “call of nature” to urinate; and the younger branches should have that fact impressed upon them. I have known children acquire a severe and obstinate form of irritability of the bladder by retaining their urine too long. Diseases of the bladder are generally the consequences of other complaints, and those complaints have already been enumerated. They may be thus summed up:
Gonorrhœa extending to the bladder, and producing absolutely a clap of the bladder. If the inflammation is not subdued, or does not subside, probably some permanent mischief ensues; at all events, the inflammation extends, and involves other coats than the interior. Accordingly, we have inflammation of the muscular coat, the nervous coat, and, lastly, the peritoneal coat. These terminations, severally, have certain symptoms, and certain names.